Finland's forestry sector experienced an increase in industrial roundwood harvesting in February 2024, with volumes reaching 6.0 million m3. This represents a 2% rise from February 2023 and a 4% increase over the five-year February average, according to the Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke). Despite the uptick in February, the cumulative harvest for January and February was 11.7 million m3, marking a 3% decrease from the previous year but aligning with the five-year average.
The data highlights a steady demand across wood types with sawlogs accounting for 2.5 million m3 and pulpwood for 3.5 million m3. Industrial log removals from non-industrial private forests in Finland amounted to 5.0 million m3, up 2% from the previous year. Forests owned by industrial companies and state forests contributed 1.0 million m3 to the total, showing a 4% increase year-on-year.
Energywood removals, including delimbed stems and whole-trees, totaled 375,000 m3, with 78% of this being higher-quality wood types for energy production.
A closer look at the felling volumes by log assortment for the initial two months of 2024 reveals a mixed scenario. Overall, industrial roundwood fell by 3% compared to the same period last year, with logs remaining stable and a 4% decrease in pulpwood volumes. The log segment benefited from an 11% increase in pine logs, despite a 4% drop in spruce logs. Hardwood logs saw a slight 1% increase.
On the pulpwood front, pine pulpwood saw a marginal 2% decrease, with more notable declines in spruce and hardwood pulpwood volumes, at 8% and 5% respectively. Energywood volumes also declined by 13%, indicating changes in market dynamics or harvesting practices.
Felling volumes (m3) and change (%) of commercial fellings by roundwood assortment, January-February 2024
| Roundwood Assortment | Felling volumes (1 000 m3) | Compared to the previous year (%) | Compared to the average of the previous five years (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Industrial roundwood total | 11,700 | -3 | 0 |
| Logs total | 4,987 | 0 | 5 |
| Pine logs | 2,215 | 4 | 11 |
| Spruce logs | 2,537 | -4 | 1 |
| Hardwood logs | 235 | 1 | 7 |
| Pulpwood total | 6,713 | -4 | -3 |
| Pine pulpwood | 2,884 | -2 | 1 |
| Spruce pulpwood | 1,983 | -8 | -1 |
| Hardwood pulpwood | 1,846 | -5 | -11 |
| Energywood total | 743 | -13 | -1 |
Source: Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke)
